If you’re scratching your head wondering what the heck is this thing called Tour de Fat and you have no idea what this annual event entails, allow us to inform … crazy crowds, enthusiastic atmosphere and fun, fun, fun! Wear your wackiest attire, hop on your bike, get peddling, and prepare to have a silly good time.

Tour de Fat is a traveling tour through six cities nationwide that promotes bicycle advocacy and community togetherness, with the primary goal of raising awareness and dollars for area nonprofits. All proceeds from donations, beer and merchandise sales support mission-aligned organizations that help position their communities as a better place to ride bikes.

What you need to know:

Bike parade
9:00 am: The parade registration opens on the corner of Mountain and Meldrum Streets.
9:30 am: Parade starts
12:30 pm: Parade ends and streets reopen to the public
Launch location: Mountain Avenue and Meldrum Street
Route: Leave from Mountain Avenue at Meldrum Street. Ride west to Bryan Street, then turn around and return east on Mountain Avenue to Meldrum Street.
Bike parking: Steele’s lot at Mountain Avenue and Meldrum Street.

While the bike parade portion of the event is free, there is a modest $15.00 general admission entry fee that includes a full day of fun great live music, with this year's headliner being the critically acclaimed band Phosphorescent. And, if you're wondering if you should bring the whole family, kids under 12 are free. Additionally, to encourage the financial fortitude of select area non-profits, there’s a suggested $5 donation that will benefit one of the following organizations:

Bike Fort Collins - Northern Colorado’s advocacy group dedicated to increasing participation in active transportation, advancing culture and policy changes to create safer streets and communities, while also creating a culture that is inclusive and empowering of all bike riders, regardless of ability or identity